End effectors, surgical stapling devices, and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

An end effector ( 40 ) for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure ( 10 ) of a patient during a surgical procedure includes an anvil ( 42 ) and a cartridge ( 44 ). Each of the anvil ( 42 ) and the cartridge ( 44 ) has a face that is positionable on the anatomical structure ( 10 ). The anvil ( 42 ) is coupled the cartridge ( 44 ) at first and second ends. The anvil ( 42 ) is movable relative to the cartridge ( 44 ) to define a first gap between the faces at the first ends that is less than a second gap between the faces at the second ends. A stapling device ( 100 ) includes the end effector ( 40 ) coupled to a manipulator ( 102 ) via a shaft ( 104 ). The manipulator ( 102 ) is accessible to the surgeon. The surgeon uses a clamping mechanism ( 122 ) to selectively move the anvil ( 42 ) and the cartridge ( 44 ) to clamp the anatomical structure ( 10 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/972,274 filed Mar. 29, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/046,726 filed Sep. 5, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to surgical staplers, and more particularly to end effectors and stapling devices and methods of using those devices in medical procedures.

BACKGROUND

Obesity, as a disease, affects a significant portion of the world's population. Obesity often leads to multiple chronic medical conditions and premature death from cardiovascular events and cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that over 33% of the U.S. population is obese, with a body mass index (“BMI”) of over 30, and another 35-40% of the population is overweight, with a BMI of 25-30. The CDC reports that the percent of the population being either overweight or obese by 2018 will be 75%. The CDC also reports that obesity directly costs the U.S. economy S147 billion currently, and projects that the costs will approach S315 billion by 2020. The increase in obesity and the financial impact on the local economy is not limited to the United States but impacts many countries throughout the world.

Obesity has environmental, genetic, and behavioral origins but is intractable to most medical and behavioral interventions. Weight loss, or bariatric, surgery seems to be the only effective long-term treatment option for patients with a BMI greater than 35. Despite the 20 million patients who are eligible for weight loss surgery in the United States, the number of procedures per year has plateaued at about 200,000, essentially eliminating any meaningful public health effect of the surgery.

In recent years, laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy has emerged as a procedure that is safe and effective for patients who are eligible for weight loss surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery inside of the abdominal cavity performed at a distance by the surgeon. Laparoscopic surgery instrumentation is designed to fit through small incisions in the abdominal wall, typically 5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. The abdominal access sites are maintained by cannulae, or trocars, that are designed to maintain pressure in the abdominal cavity with valves that seal around an instrument shaft. Videoscopic guidance may be used throughout the surgery. Since its introduction in 2003 as a stand-alone surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy has been studied extensively. It is now widely accepted as the surgery that should be offered to most morbidly obese patients over laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The surgery has been adopted by most bariatric surgeons and is now one of the most commonly used procedures to achieve effective weight loss.

During a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed and the remaining pouch is based on the less distensible lesser curve of the stomach. The fundus of the stomach, which is formed by the upper curvature of the organ, is the most crucial portion of the stomach that is removed. The resultant gastric pouch generally should be about 80 mL to about 820 mL in volume, should not be narrowed at the incisura angularis, should be as straight as possible to avoid obstruction from spiraling or zigzagging, should be about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm away from the gastroesophageal junction, and should be about 2 cm to about 10 cm away from the pylorus.

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy is typically performed using standard laparoscopic equipment. The greater curvature of the stomach is mobilized by using vessel-sealing devices to seal the gastric branches of the gastroepiploic vessels and the short gastric vessels. The posterior adhesions of the stomach are also divided so the stomach is fully mobilized while the blood supply to the lesser curvature remains intact. The left crus of the diaphragm is an important landmark to ensure the fundus has been fully mobilized.

Following mobilization of the stomach and repair of any hiatal hernia that may be present, a calibration tube or bougie is typically introduced into the stomach through the mouth. The bougie is inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, where it is used as a point of reference in order to help align the initial staple fire. The bougie acts as a left-hand landmark, which the surgeon uses to visualize the path of the staple line. A surgeon creating a sleeve gastrectomy staple line will estimate 2.0 cm away from the lesser curvature of the stomach and visually orient the stapler. As constant diameter bougies cannot be used to facilitate orienting the stapler, only surgeon experience and estimation is used. At the top of the staple line, it is important to not divide part of the esophagus or the ‘sling fibers’ of the cardia, which participate in the physiologic anti-reflux action of the lower esophageal sphincter. Surgeons must use visual cues to ensure that the staple line is a safe distance away from the gastroesophageal junction.

Resection is accomplished by a series of applications of a laparoscopic linear surgical stapler, which are also referred to as endocutter surgical staplers. The staplers that are most commonly used for sleeve gastrectomy are no more than 60 mm in length and include an integrated cutting blade, an anvil, and a cartridge, where the anvil and cartridge are parallel in the longitudinal direction. Conventional endocutter staplers have double or triple staggered rows of staples on either side of the cutting blade. Each staple application places two or three staggered rows of staples into the tissue on either side of the cutting blade. For sleeve gastrectomy, the average number of staple fires per procedure is 3 to 7 in order to create a continuous resection line. This results in a resection line that is about 15 cm to about 37 cm on average.

Proper alignment between the anvil and cartridge is very important during staple formation. Surgical staplers must have alignment in the x, y, and z axes to be able to form B-shaped staples. The alignment of the anvil and cartridge must be maintained along the length of the stapler. The anvil may be deflected during staple formation due at least in part to the forces of tissue and staple formation on the anvil. This deflection has limited the lengths of staplers. More specifically, the longer the stapler is, the more the tip of the stapler tends to deflect. This often results in a gap that is too wide to form staples appropriate for the thickness of the tissue to be stapled.

Currently, surgeon training, experience, and trial and error are the only tools used to aid the surgeon in determining the path of the resection line in a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Only after applying the stapler to begin creating the resection line is the resultant stomach anatomy demonstrated. Before beginning stapling, the surgeon must attempt to envision the resultant anatomy of the stomach. Further, the surgeon must actively and accurately control the stapler during the resection to produce the desired resection line. Because the thickness of the stomach tissue varies at the antrum, the body, and the fundus, different staple leg lengths are typically used. This requires the stapler to be removed from the patient between firings to load the stapler with a new cartridge having staples with an appropriate leg length. Generally, one or more applications of cartridges including staples with a longer closed leg length are followed by one or more applications of cartridges including staples with a shorter closed leg length. This serial cartridge application can lead to a less than optimal anatomic appearance of the segmented staple line, such as a “zig-zagging” or spiraling line.

There is wide variability in the size and type of calibration tube, or bougie, used by surgeons to size the remaining gastric sleeve. Some surgeons use an endoscope (30 French or 1 cm in diameter) while others use a large mercury-weighted bougie (60 French or 2 cm in diameter). In a large meta-analysis, there was no difference in weight loss when bougie sizes of less than 40 and greater than 40 were used. The resection line is important in sleeve gastrectomy because the amount of weight loss and subsequent medical complications may be a direct result of the quality of the resultant anatomy. The resultant anatomy is determined by the staple line created by the surgeon during the gastrectomy. Negative consequences related to the quality of the staple line may include, for example, gastroesophageal reflux, weight loss failure, weight regain, food intolerance, resection line bleed, and leak.

Leaks are the most concerning complication of a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. In large pooled databases, the leak rate is approximately 0.3 to 2%. Leak is thought to be prevented by making a straight staple line that avoids crossing cartridge applications, has no narrow segments (particularly at the incisura angularis), is about 1 cm from the gastroesophageal junction, and has a squared-off final application. Generally speaking, leak is not prevented by sewing over the staple line or using staple line buttress material in the resection line. Leak is thought to be more a result of poor resultant stomach anatomy. Poor anatomy is a direct result of the shortcomings of the calibration equipment and technique used to create the staple line. Conventional calibration tubes specifically designed for use in a sleeve gastrectomy may provide some user benefits, but fail to reliably produce the proper geometry of the resultant anatomy from the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Accordingly, new apparatuses and methods are needed to address the shortcomings of existing apparatuses and methods. More particularly, improved apparatuses and methods are needed that improve the consistency and quality of the staple line created during a medical procedure, such as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

SUMMARY

An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure addresses these and other shortcomings and, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure has a first side and a second side and the end effector includes an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure. The end effector further includes a cartridge that is configured to house a plurality of staples and that includes a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure. The first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil, and the second end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the second end of the anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the cartridge to define a first gap between the faces at the first ends that is less than a second gap between the faces at the second ends.

In one embodiment, the decrease from the first gap to the second gap is determined by an angle of from about 0.1° to about 1°.

In one embodiment, the first gap is from about 1.5 mm to about 3.3 mm

In one embodiment, the second gap is from about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm

In one embodiment, the first ends define a distal end of the end effector and the second ends define a proximal end of the end effector.

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes a shim having a wedge-shape coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and defining at least one of the first gap and the second gap.

In one embodiment, each face defines a width and the shim extends the width of at least one of the faces.

In one embodiment, a thickness of the shim varies across a width of the shim

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes a shim having a wedge-shape coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and defining each of the first gap and the second gap.

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes a shim that is coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge, the shim having a first end, a second end, and a thickness, the thickness of the shim at the first end being different than the thickness of the shim at the second end.

In one embodiment, at least one of the faces of the anvil and the cartridge has a stepped configuration including at least two segments that are offset from one another. One segment defines the first gap and the other segment defines the second gap.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of staples and an open leg length of each of the staples in each segment is the same.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes staples each having an open leg length and the open leg length of one staple in one segment is different from the open leg length of one staple in the other segment.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of staple drivers each having a height and the height of at least two staple drivers are different in a direction from the first end to the second end of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes staples, each staple having an open leg length, the open leg length of at least one staple is different from the open leg length of another staple along a length of the cartridge from the first end to the second end.

In one embodiment, the open leg lengths of the staples are randomly distributed.

In one embodiment, a distribution of the open leg lengths of the staples is based on a probable tissue thickness along the anatomical structure from the first end to the second end.

In one embodiment, the staples are divided into at least two zones of staples. The staples are arranged in at least one row and at least one column in each zone. The open leg length of one staple in one zone differs from the open leg length of another staple in the other zone.

In one embodiment, the cartridge has a first edge and a second edge and one staple in the zone adjacent the first edge has a greater open leg length than another staple in the zone adjacent the second edge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of staples divided into at least two zones, and a crown length of one staple in one zone differs from a crown length of another staple in the other zone.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of staples divided into at least two zones of staples, and a gauge of one staple in one zone differs from a gauge of another staple in the other zone.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of magazines configured to be selectively inserted and removed from the cartridge, each magazine including a plurality of staples arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns.

In one embodiment, a length of at least one magazine is from about 5 mm to about 250 mm.

In one embodiment, at least one magazine includes a channel for a cutting blade with at least one column of staples on each side of the channel

In one embodiment, the magazines include an interlock feature.

In one embodiment, the interlock feature includes a projection on one of the magazines and a recess on another of the magazines, the projection being configured to be received in the recess when the magazines are adjacent to each other in the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of staples arranged in rows and columns, each staple having an open leg length, the staples in each column having about the same open leg length. Each of the anvil and the cartridge has a first edge and a second edge, the anvil being movable relative to the cartridge to define a first edge gap between the faces at the first edges that is less than a second edge gap between the faces at the second edges.

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes an alignment mechanism configured to facilitate alignment between the anvil and the cartridge as the anvil is moved toward the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the alignment mechanism includes a knife that is partially housed in the cartridge and that has a first flange, a second flange, and a web connecting the first and second flanges and including a cutting edge. The alignment mechanism further includes a recess in the anvil face that is configured to receive the first flange. The alignment mechanism further includes a first slot in the anvil that is open to the anvil face and to the recess and that is configured to slidably receive the web during cutting of the anatomical structure with the cutting edge and a second slot in the cartridge that is open to the cartridge face and that is configured to slidably receive the web during cutting of the anatomical structure.

In one embodiment, the anvil has a first guide channel open to the first slot, the cartridge has a guide channel open to the second slot, and the first and second guide channels are parallel.

In one embodiment, the anvil face and the cartridge face are not parallel.

In one embodiment, at least one of the anvil face and the cartridge face has a stepped configuration including at least two segments that are offset from one another, one segment defines the first gap and the other segment defines the second gap.

In one embodiment, one of the first and second flanges has a V-shaped cross-section.

In one embodiment, the staples have two legs and a crown having a midline and the staple pockets are configured to bend the two legs past the midline of the crown when the end effector is actuated.

In one embodiment, each of the anvil and the cartridge has a first edge and the end effector further includes a spacer coupled to the first edge of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and being configured to abut an anatomical feature to space the end effector apart from the anatomical feature by a known distance.

In one embodiment, the end effector is insertable through a trocar.

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes a flexible member that movably couples the first end of the anvil to the first end of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, at least one of the anvil and the cartridge slidably receives the flexible member when the end effector is clamped on to the anatomical structure.

In one embodiment, the flexible member is anchored to the anvil.

In one embodiment, the flexible member is anchored to the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the end effector further includes a tensioning device operable by the surgeon for selectively tensioning the flexible member to provide at least a portion of the clamping force on the anatomical structure.

In one embodiment, each of the anvil and the cartridge is insertable through a trocar and the end effector is remotely operable from outside the patient to clamp the end effector to the anatomical structure according to the first gap and the second gap

A stapling device for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure has a first side and a second side and the endocutter stapling device includes an end effector and a manipulator that is configured to be accessible to the surgeon outside of the patient and that includes a shaft coupled to the end effector and a clamping mechanism for selectively moving the anvil and the cartridge toward one another to clamp the anatomical structure. The device further includes a flexible member that extends through the shaft to the end effector and is operably coupled to at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and to the clamping mechanism such that operating the clamping mechanism withdraws the flexible member from the end effector and clamps the anatomical structure between the anvil and the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism is capable of selectively tensioning the flexible member to clamp the anvil and the cartridge to the anatomical structure with a first stage clamping force that permits the end effector to be repositioned relative to the anatomical structure.

In one embodiment, the first stage clamping force is between about 0.1 g/mm² and about 4 g/mm².

In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism is capable of selectively tensioning the flexible member to clamp the anvil and the cartridge to the anatomical structure with a second stage clamping force that substantially prevents the end effector from moving relative to the anatomical structure during the medical procedure.

In one embodiment, the second stage clamping force is between about 4 g/mm² and about 70 g/mm².

In one embodiment, the manipulator includes a handpiece that at least partially houses the clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism further includes a lever that is pivotable relative to the handpiece and is operable to activate the clamping mechanism.

In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a first push bar that is pivotably coupled to the lever, a second push bar that is pivotably coupled to the first push bar, and a pin that is coupled to the second push bar, the flexible member extending around the pin. Rotation of the lever relative to the handpiece moves the pin and withdraws the flexible member from the end effector

In one embodiment, the manipulator includes a stapling mechanism that has an actuator coupled to an actuator plate that is slidable relative to the end effector and at least one wedge coupled to the actuator plate. Activating the actuator slides the actuator plate and the at least one wedge in the direction of the end effector to force the wedge into engagement with staples.

In one embodiment, the actuator is a thumb plate.

In one embodiment, the manipulator includes a cutting mechanism that is configured to cut the anatomical structure and is coupled to the actuator plate and, when the actuator is engaged, the stapling mechanism begins stapling the anatomical structure prior the cutting mechanism cutting the anatomical structure.

An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure has a first side and a second side and the end effector includes an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure, and a first edge. The end effector further includes a cartridge that is configured to house a plurality of staples and that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure, and a first edge. The first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil. The end effector further includes a spacer configured to be coupled to the first edge of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge.

An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure having a first side and a second side and the end effector includes an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure, the face defining a width, a first edge, and a second edge. The end effector further includes a cartridge that includes a plurality of staples arranged in rows and columns, each staple having an open leg length, the staples in each column having about the same open leg length, a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure, the face defining a first edge, a second edge, and a width between the first edge and the second edge. The first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil, the anvil being movable relative to the cartridge to define a first edge gap between the faces at the first edges that is less than a second edge gap between the faces at the second edges. When the end effector is positioned on the anatomical structure, the first edge gap linearly increases to the second edge gap.

An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure having a first side and a second side and the end effector includes an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure, the face defining a width, and a first edge. The end effector further includes a cartridge that is configured to house a plurality of staples and that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure, the face defining a width, and a first edge. The first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil. The end effector further includes a shim that is coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge, the shim having a first edge, a second edge, and a thickness, the thickness of the shim at the first edge being different than the thickness of the shim at the second edge.

In one embodiment, the shim extends the width of at least one of the faces.

In one embodiment, a thickness of the shim varies across the width of the shim

An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure has a first side and a second side and the end effector includes an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure. The end effector further includes a cartridge that includes a plurality of staple channels arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns, is configured to house a plurality of staples individually in the staple channels, and that includes a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure, the rows extending from the first end toward the second end. The first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil. The end effector further includes a shim that is coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge, the shim covering less than all of the rows of the staple channels.

A cartridge for use in an end effector having an anvil, the end effector being for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, in one embodiment, the anatomical structure has a first side and a second side and the cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a plurality of staple channels. The cartridge further includes a plurality of staples arranged in rows and columns, each staple having an open leg length and a crown and being housed in one of the staple channels. The open leg length of one of the staples differs from the open leg length of another of the staples in a longitudinal direction along the rows. The open leg length of the staples is selected based on a probable tissue thickness along the anatomical structure from the first end to the second end.

In one embodiment, the cartridge body is divided into at least two zones, each zone having a plurality of staples arranged in at least one row and at least one column, each staple having an open leg length. The open leg length of one staple in one zone differs from the open leg length of one staple in the other zone.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a plurality of magazines configured to be selectively inserted and removed from the cartridge, each magazine including a plurality of staples arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns.

In one embodiment, a length of at least one magazine is from about 5 mm to about 250 mm

In one embodiment, at least one magazine includes a channel for a cutting blade with at least one column of staples on each side of the channel

In one embodiment, the magazines include an interlock feature.

In one embodiment, the interlock feature includes a projection on one of the magazines and a recess on another of the magazines, the projection being configured to be received in the recess when the magazines are adjacent to each other in the cartridge.

A method of stapling an anatomical structure during a surgical medical procedure, in one embodiment, includes

In one embodiment, inserting the end effector of claim 1 through a trocar into a patient adjacent the anatomical structure, the cartridge including a plurality of staples, positioning the anvil and the cartridge on opposing sides of the anatomical structure, clamping the end effector to the anatomical structure at the first ends of the anvil and the cartridge and the second ends of the anvil and the cartridge to secure the position of the end effector relative to the anatomical structure, and actuating the end effector to staple the anatomical structure.

In one embodiment, the method further includes positioning a clamp adjacent to the anatomical structure, and wherein positioning the anvil and the cartridge includes positioning at least one of the anvil and cartridge adjacent the clamp.

In one embodiment, the staples having an open leg length are arranged in rows and columns and the open leg length of each of the staples is the same in each column, and actuating the end effector includes forming a first row of staples and a second row of staples, the staples in the first row having a greater closed leg length than the staples in the second row

In one embodiment, each of the anvil and the cartridge have a first edge and a second edge and clamping the end effector to the anatomical structure includes compressing the anatomical structure more at the first edges than at the second edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts the anatomy of a stomach.

FIG. 2A is an elevation view of an end effector of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is an elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 2A positioned on the stomach.

FIG. 2C is an elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 2A during resection of a portion of the stomach.

FIG. 2D is an elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 2A following resection of a portion of the stomach.

FIG. 2E depicts the stomach anatomy resulting from a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the endocutter stapling device of FIG. 3 with an end effector shown in an opened position.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the end effector shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view of the endocutter stapling device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the endocutter stapling device taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the end effector shown in FIG. 4A taken along section line 6A-6A.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the endocutter stapling device taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the endocutter stapling device taken along section line 7A-7A in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a handpiece of the endocutter stapling device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the encircled area 9 shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the encircled area 10 of the endocutter stapling device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the endocutter stapling device taken along section line 10A-10A in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the endocutter stapling device similar to FIG. 10 during use of the endocutter stapling device.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a knife and a pair of wedges of the endocutter stapling device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the knife and the pair of wedges shown in FIG. 10 during use of the endocutter stapling device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 12A positioned on a stomach after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 12C is a schematic elevation view of stomach anatomy resulting from the use of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a shim according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 14A positioned on a stomach after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 15A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 15A positioned on a stomach after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 16A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 16A positioned on a stomach after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 17A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 17A positioned on a stomach after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 18 is a schematic elevation view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic elevation view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a schematic elevation view of an end effector including the cartridge of FIG. 19.

FIG. 20B is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 20A during compression of the stomach.

FIG. 20C is a schematic elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 20A following stapling of the stomach.

FIG. 21 is a schematic elevation view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic elevation view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic elevation view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are cross-sectional views of the cartridge of FIG. 23 taken along section line 23A-23A and 23B-23B, respectively.

FIG. 23C is a perspective view of an arrangement of staples in a cartridge according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24A is a plan view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24B is an enlarged perspective view of a magazine of FIG. 24A illustrating the assembly of the cartridge.

FIG. 24C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 24A following assembly according to FIG. 24B.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26A is a cross-sectional view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the invention taken along section line 26A-26A of FIG. 25.

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative cartridge according to one embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 26A.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are cross-sectional views of an end effector according to one embodiment of the invention before and after stapling, respectively.

FIG. 27C is a cross-sectional view of the staple line after actuation of an endocutter stapling device according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of the staple line after actuation of the end effector shown in FIG. 28A according to one embodiment of the invention to complete a staple line.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view of an end effector including a cartridge shown in FIG. 29 taken along section line 30A-30A.

FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view of an end effector similar to that of FIG. 30A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30C is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 30B during stapling of a stomach according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are cross-sectional views of end effectors according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 33-36 are elevation views of end effectors according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are an elevation view and a plan view, respectively, of a staple according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are an elevation view and a plan view, respectively, of a staple according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, of a staple pocket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 40A and 40B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, of a staple pocket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention following resection of a stomach.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an end effector according to one embodiment of the invention positioned on a stomach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In its broadest aspects, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stapler for creating a staple line during a surgical procedure involving the resection of at least a part of an anatomical structure. For example, the stapler may be used in a vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure. The stapler may be a supplement to current practices of a sleeve gastrectomy, including the laparoscopic access and mobilization of the greater curvature of the stomach. As is described in detail below, embodiments of the stapler account for variations in thickness of the tissue and, in doing so, are believed to provide a staple line of improved integrity.

While embodiments discussed below involve the use of a stapler to create a staple line during a medical procedure, it should be recognized that the stapler may act as a surgical clamp independent of its use as stapler. Further, while embodiments discussed below involve the use of the stapler in a vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure, the stapler may also be adapted for use in other procedures involving anatomical structures, such as organs other than the stomach or soft tissue. For example, the stapler may be used in a parencymal resection, lung volume reduction surgery, or other procedures involving the lung. Further, the stapler may be useful in an anatomic resection such as a lobectomy, a non-anatomic parencymal resection, or other procedures involving the liver. Moreover, a surgeon or other medical professional may benefit from using the stapler in a partial nephrectomy, total nephrectomy, or other procedures involving the kidney. During procedures involving an anatomical structure, the tissue of the anatomical structure may be sealed. Thus, while aspects of the present invention may be illustrated in the context of a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, it should be appreciated that aspects of the invention may provide a benefit in a host of medical procedures on anatomical structures and be adapted for use in such medical procedures.

Now referring to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates the anatomy of a stomach 10 and a staple line 12, where the staple line 12 represents a resection line for a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The stomach 10 generally includes a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, an anterior side 18, and a posterior side 20. As used herein, the proximal and distal ends 14, 16 of the stomach 10 are described from the perspective of the operative surgeon. A gastroesophageal junction 22 opens into the stomach 10 and is a common landmark in bariatric surgeries. An antrum 24 and a fundus 26 are located adjacent the proximal and distal ends 14, 16 of the stomach 10, respectively. The thickness of the stomach 10 generally increases from the fundus 26 to the antrum 24. The thickness of the stomach may also vary based on other factors. For example, male stomachs tend to have a greater thickness than female stomachs. Further, patients with a higher body mass index (“BMI”) tend to have stomachs with a greater thickness than stomachs of patients with a lower BMI. The staple line 12 therefore traverses the stomach 10 over a portion in which the thickness of the tissue changes. The fundus 26 and the section of the stomach 10 defined by the greater curvature 28 are generally the parts of the stomach 10 removed during a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The desired location of the staple line 12 is about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm away from the gastroesophageal junction 22 and about 2 cm to about 10 cm away from the pylorus 32.

Following the gastrectomy, the remaining pouch is generally defined by a lesser curvature 30 and the staple line 12 and presents a stomach with a significantly reduced volume. In accordance with aspects of the invention, staplers as described herein aid in forming high quality, consistent staple lines during a medical procedure, such as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. In this regard, the staplers provide an accurate visual indication of the staple line before the stapler has been actuated. The visualization aspect of the disclosed staplers is believed to result in high quality and consistent staple lines that are significantly improved over staple lines produced by current methodologies. Furthermore, unlike the prior art, embodiments of the stapler account for tissue thickness variation, such as, thickness variations associated with the staple line 12, during clamping and/or stapling which is also believed to result in high quality and consistent staple lines.

To these and other ends, and with reference to FIG. 2A, embodiments of the present invention may include an end effector 40 having an anvil 42 and a cartridge 44 coupled to one another. As is described below in reference to FIGS. 2B-2E, the surgeon may forcibly drive the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 toward one another to clamp the stomach 10 between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. The surgeon may close the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 remotely from the end effector 40. That is, no direct manual access to the end effector 40 is required. For this reason, the end effectors, as disclosed herein, may be designed specifically for use in surgical surgical procedures in which the organ is accessed through a trocar.

According to one aspect, clamping onto the stomach 10 permits the surgeon to be able to accurately position the end effector 40 and ensures creation of a straight sleeve gastrectomy pouch. In the exemplary embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 2B, the anvil 42 may be generally positionable on the anterior side 18 of the stomach 10, and the cartridge 44 may be generally positionable on the posterior side 20 of the stomach 10. The cartridge 44 may house a plurality of surgical staples and a knife, each described below, for forming the staple line 12. The anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be coupled together via a flexible member 46 and collectively operate as clamping members for purposes described below. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated arrangement. For example, the arrangement of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be reversed such that the anvil 42 is coupled to a shaft and is positioned adjacent the posterior side 20 of the stomach 10 and the cartridge 44 is coupled to the anvil 42 via the flexible member 46 and is positioned on the anterior side 18 of the stomach 10 (not shown). Other alternative arrangements may also be possible depending on the surgical procedure and the surgeon's preference, among other factors. There are many ways to couple the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 and the invention is not limited to the flexible member shown. By way of example, many of the connection methods described in International Application No. PCT/US2014/070869, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, may be utilized to connect the anvil and the cartridge described herein.

In one embodiment, the surgeon, using standard laparoscopic instruments and graspers, may position the end effector 40 proximate the stomach 10 as is shown in FIG. 2B. In this regard, FIG. 2B illustrates the end effector 40 placed around the stomach 10 with the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 coupled together with the flexible member 46 at both the proximal end 14 and the distal end 16 of the stomach 10. The length of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be sufficient for the anvil 42, the cartridge 44, and the flexible member 46 to encircle the stomach 10, as shown. The length of the anvil and/or the cartridge as described herein is not particularly limited. By way of example and not limitation, the length of each may measure from about 35 mm to about 350 mm. The end effector 40 may be put in place and used with or without having to mobilize the greater curvature 28. For example, a surgeon may prefer to leave the greater curvature 28 attached to the omentum (not shown), which could improve stability of the stomach 10 during stapling.

As is described below, the flexible member 46 may be coupled to a tensioning mechanism by which the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be moved toward one another and to provide a sufficient clamping force on the stomach 10. Once the end effector 40 is properly positioned, as is shown in FIG. 2B, the surgeon may then engage the tensioning mechanism, described below, to compress the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 on the stomach 10, as is shown by the arrow 50 in FIG. 2B. In this regard, the end effector 40 may be coupled to a device that houses the tensing mechanism for tensioning the flexible member 46. As the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 are brought together, the flexible member 46 may align the anvil 42 with the cartridge 44. In this regard, the end effectors disclosed herein may be self-aligning due, in part, to coupling of the anvil 42 to the cartridge 44 at each end. Tensioning the flexible member 46 may also compress the tissue. For instance, as the flexible member 46 is tensioned, the distance between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 decreases, and ultimately compresses the stomach 10. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a gap between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may vary when the surgeon clamps the stomach 10. As is described in detail below, the variation in the gap may reflect variation in the thickness of the tissue clamped between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44.

In one aspect of the invention, the end effector 40 may be positioned relative to the stomach 10 using a two-stage clamping process in which the surgeon operates the tensioning mechanism to clamp the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 onto the stomach 10. In the first clamping stage, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be clamped onto the stomach 10 to provide a threshold amount of resistance to unintentional movement of the end effector 40 relative to the stomach 10. For example, the range of clamping pressure in the first stage may be about 0.1 g/mm² to about 4 g/mm². While preventing undesirable or unintentional movements of the end effector 40, the surgeon may move the end effector 40 to a desired position relative to the stomach 10 without significant difficulty.

In the second clamping stage, and with the end effector 40 in the desired location relative to the stomach 10, the clamping force of the end effector 40 may be increased to effectively prevent or minimize the end effector 40 from moving relative to the stomach 10. For example, the clamping pressure in the second stage may be about 4 g/mm² to about 70 g/mm². In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping pressure in the second stage may be about 8 g/mm². The upper limit to which the end effector 40 may be clamped is selected so as to avoid any damage to the underlying tissue being clamped but also allow for adequate tissue compression for staple formation. This upper limit may be, for example, about 70 g/mm². Additionally, the lower limit in the disclosed range of about 4 g/mm² represents a threshold clamping force below which constitutes the first stage clamping and above which constitutes the second stage clamping. It will be recognized that these values are merely exemplary and the particular values may depend on several factors, including the anatomical structure being clamped. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the range of values provided herein. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the gap between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may vary across the longitudinal length of the end effector 40 when the surgeon clamps the stomach 10 in the first and/or second stage.

In an advantageous aspect of the invention, when the end effector 40 is placed on the stomach 10 (e.g., in the first clamping stage as described above), the surgeon has a clear visualization of the intended results of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy prior to actually performing the resection of the stomach 10 at the staple line 12. Hence, the surgeon has an indication of what the resultant stomach shape and volume defined by the lesser curvature 30 and the staple line 12 will likely be prior to stapling and/or cutting the stomach tissue. If the surgeon is not satisfied with the indication of the expected stomach shape and volume, the surgeon may adjust and manipulate the location and the alignment of the end effector 40 prior to stapling and cutting the stomach 10. This is in contrast to current procedures, where the resection line is generally not well visualized prior to activating the stapler. Thus, according to current procedures, the ultimate outcome is less certain. It will be appreciated that the end effector 40 should be positioned such that it does not provide lateral stretching or tension of the stomach 10, which may create an undesirable environment for stapling and cutting. Using the end effector 40 ensures proper alignment of the staple line 12 so that removing the fundus 26 occurs at a safe distance away from both the lesser curvature 30 and the gastroesophageal junction 22. The result is a staple line that is squared off at the fundus 26 of the stomach to prevent or reduce the likelihood of necrotic tissue development.

Once the end effector 40 is positioned and the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 are compressed, the surgeon may activate a cutting and stapling mechanism, described below, to cut and staple the tissue using the end effector 40 until complete resection of the stomach 10 occurs, as is illustrated in the sequence of FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2E. In one embodiment, the surgeon may engage a release mechanism after completing the resection of the stomach 10. This allows slack to be introduced in the flexible member 46 such that the anvil 42 may be separated from the cartridge 44. Consequently, once the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 are separated, the end effector 40 may be removed from the abdominal cavity.

With reference to FIGS. 3-10D, the surgeon may operate the end effector 40 above, including one or both of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44, during a vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure with a mechanical device that is operably coupled to the one or both of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. With specific reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, an endocutter stapling device 100 includes the end effector 40 operatively coupled to a manipulator 102. With the endocutter stapling device 100, the surgeon may remotely operate the end effectors disclosed herein. While specific reference is made to the endocutter stapling device 100, other stapling devices may be utilized in accordance with the present invention including, for example, the endocutter stapling devices described in commonly owned International Application No. PCT/US2015/22904 filed Mar. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 3, the manipulator 102 includes an elongate member or shaft 104 coupled to a handpiece 106 at one end and the end effector 40 at the other end thereof. During a surgical procedure, the end effector 40 and a portion of the shaft 104 may be inserted into the patient, such as via a trocar. The surgeon may then manipulate the end effector 40 and/or articulate the end effector 40 relative to the manipulator 102 to perform a procedure. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may include mechanisms for effectuating a surgical procedure with the end effector 40 (including clamping, stapling, and cutting tissue) and for allowing the end effector 40 to articulate relative to the shaft 104, each described below.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 4A, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 are movably coupled together via the flexible member 46 as is described above. The flexible member 46 passes through hollow portions of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 and is movable relative to one or both of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. The flexible member 46 may be anchored to one of the anvil 42 or the cartridge 44, as is described below. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the anvil 42 may be separated from or brought closer to the cartridge 44 by extending or retracting the flexible member 46. Retraction of the flexible member 46 moves the anvil 42 toward the cartridge 44 as is shown generally by arrow 52 in FIG. 4A.

In this regard, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the flexible member 46 extends from the shaft 104 into the cartridge 44 at a proximal end 44 b and ultimately couples the anvil 42 to the cartridge 44. While numerous pathways for the flexible member are possible, in the exemplary embodiment, the flexible member 46 passes from the cartridge 44 and is coupled to the anvil 42 adjacent each of a distal end 42 a and a proximal end 42 b thereof and may be anchored within the anvil 42 by anchors 110 and 112 (shown in FIG. 6).

Retraction of the flexible member 46 from the end effector 40 (and into the manipulator 102 described below) therefore moves at least one of the anvil 42 and/or the cartridge 44 as is shown generally by the arrow 52 in FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that because the flexible member 46 is anchored to the anvil 42 (e.g., proximate each of the distal end 42 a and the proximal end 42 b), retraction of the flexible member 46 produces a substantially symmetrical closing force on tissue situated between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. This configuration, that is, with connectivity between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 at each end of the end effector 40, is advantageous.

In this regard, in embodiments in which the anvil 42 and/or the cartridge 44 are sufficiently rigid at pressures encountered during a surgical procedure, the clamping force may be more symmetrical and uniformly distributed along the length of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. Thus, the tissue situated between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be more uniformly compressed. It will be appreciated that even though there may be more uniform compression on the tissue, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may not be parallel to one another in the clamped position because the tissue may not be uniformly thick. Nevertheless, there may be uniformity in applied pressure. Alternatively, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be generally parallel yet a gap between the opposing faces of each varies in dimension between a distal end and a proximal end of the end effector 40. The variation in gap may be according to a predetermined relationship to accommodate for the change in thickness of the compressed stomach during clamping. Even though the gap may vary in dimension from one end to the other, the end effector 40 may uniformly apply pressure to the clamped tissue. In each instance, this may be unlike prior art devices in which clamping members are attached together at a single, hinge-like location and have a jaw-like motion, rather than a vice-like motion. With a single connection, the end of the clamp member most distant from the connection may deflect. As a result of the deflection, the clamp member may not apply uniform, symmetrical compression to the tissue along its length. Furthermore, deflection becomes more exaggerated as the clamp members lengthen. Thus, deflection limits the practical upper limit on length for hinge-like devices. It was recognized that producing a substantially uniformly applied clamping pressure may enhance the formation of the staple line following stapling and cutting.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, in one embodiment, the manipulator 102 includes a main body 114 with housing halves 120 a, 120 b. When assembled, the housing halves 120 a, 120 b enclose control features by which the surgeon may operate clamping of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 on the stomach 10 and then stapling and cutting of the stomach 10. In that regard, the manipulator 102 includes a clamping mechanism 122 for applying tension to the flexible member 46, a stapling mechanism 124 for stapling the tissue captured between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44, and a cutting mechanism 126 for cutting the tissue. Each of these mechanisms is described below. Thus, in one aspect, the surgeon may operate the clamping mechanism 122 to control the extension and retraction of the flexible member 46 from the end effector 40. In another aspect, the surgeon may actuate the stapling mechanism 124 to fire staples and actuate the cutting mechanism 126 to cut tissue. It will be appreciated that while the endocutter stapling device 100 is described herein as including each of these mechanism, that is, a clamping mechanism, a stapling mechanism, and a cutting mechanism, the invention is not limited to having a cutting mechanism. Specifically, the endocutter stapling device 100 may include a stapling mechanism and not include a cutting mechanism. The surgeon may therefore use the endocutter stapling device 100 to clamp and staple the tissue without cutting it.

To these and other ends, with continued reference to FIG. 5, the manipulator 102 includes a support 130 having a U-shaped cross-section coupled to the end effector 40 at a proximal end. A guide beam 136 of about the same length as the support 130 and reinforces the support 130. The guide beam 136 may include three channels 138 a, 138 b, and 140 that may receive portions of each of the stapling mechanism 124, the cutting mechanism 126, and the clamping mechanism 122, described below.

In the embodiment shown, the manipulator 102 further includes a frame 150 having a shaft portion 152 and a handpiece portion 154. The shaft portion 152 may have a tubular configuration, for example, a right circular tubular configuration and may enclose the support 130 and the guide beam 136 when the manipulator 102 is assembled. The support 130 may be configured to receive a pin 142 that cooperates with a corresponding bore 144 in the shaft portion 152 to secure the support to the frame 150.

The handpiece portion 154 of the frame 150 is enclosed in the handpiece 106 and includes opposing flanges 156 a, 156 b defining a channel 158. Each of the flanges 156 a, 156 b includes one or more slots that guide a portion of the clamping mechanism 122, described below. In the embodiment shown, each flange 156 a, 156 b includes two pairs of slots 160 a, 160 b, 162 a, 162 b. The pair of slots 160 a, 162 a on the flange 156 a is a mirror image of the pair of slots 160 b, 162 b on the flange 156 b . As shown, each of the slots 160 a, 160 b is elongated in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the manipulator 102. The slots 162 a, 162 b are also elongated but are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of manipulator 102 and angled relative to the slots 160 a, 160 b.

The clamping mechanism 122 includes a lever 170 pivotably coupled relative to the housing halves 120 a, 120 b by the pin 142 in the bore 144. The surgeon operates the lever 170 to tension the flexible member 46. In particular, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the surgeon may squeeze the lever 170 by which motion the flexible member 46 is withdrawn from the end effector 40. As is described above, withdrawing or pulling the flexible member 46 from the end effector 40 draws the anvil 42 toward the cartridge 44 and may tension the flexible member 46 when the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 meet resistance to movement. By applying a force to the flexible member 46, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may be moved toward one another (as is indicated by arrow 52) and may also apply a clamping force to tissue situated between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. It will be appreciated that the surgeon may operate the lever 170 with one or more fingers during operation of the endocutter stapling device 100 between a disengaged position (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 6) in which the clamping mechanism 122 does not restrict movement of the flexible member 46 and an engaged position (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 7) in which the clamping mechanism 122 contacts the flexible member 46.

To that end, the clamping mechanism 122 further includes a push bar 164 pivotably coupled to the lever 170 by a pin 166 at one end thereof. The push bar 164 extends from outside the housing half 120 a, where it is pivotally attached to the lever 170 by the pin 166, into the channel 158 of the frame 150 through a slot (unlabeled) in the handpiece portion 154 of the frame 150. The push bar 164 is pivotally coupled to a push bar 174 by a pin 172 in the handpiece 106. The pin 172 extends through the push bar 164 at one end thereof across the channel 158 and is slidably received in each of the slots 160 a, 160 b (FIG. 5) of the frame 150. The push bar 174 is coupled to a second pin 176 at the opposing end of the bar 174 from the pin 172. The pin 176 is slidably received in each of the slots 162 a, 162 b (FIG. 5) of the frame 150. The pins 172 and 176 interact with the flexible member 46 when the surgeon squeezes the lever 170. By way of example only, and not limitation, one or both of the pins 172 and 176 may be coupled to a sheave (not shown), which slidably receives the flexible member 46, to guide the flexible member 46 during operation of the clamping mechanism 122.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the flexible member 46 extends from the shaft 104, between the flanges 156 a, 156 b, and is looped over the pin 172 and the pin 176 (e.g., in sheaves on each pin 172, 176). In the exemplary embodiment, an additional pin 178 may extend across the channel 158 in fixed relation to the frame 150. The pin 178 may be positioned at a location that maintains the flexible member 46 in alignment with the shaft 104. In other words, the pin 178 may be configured to align the flexible member 46 with the shaft 104 independent of the position of the pins 172, 176 as the pins 172, 176 slide in relation to the slots 160 a, 160 b, 162 a, 162 b. Thus, while the flexible member 46 may move in response to actuation of the clamping mechanism 122 along each of the pins 172, 176, the additional pin 178 may maintain alignment of the flexible member 46 with the longitudinal axis of the manipulator 102.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A, depression of the clamping lever 170 toward the housing half 102 a in the direction of the arrow 180 in FIG. 6 may cause movement of each of the push bars 164, 174 generally away from the end effector 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handpiece 106. Specifically, as is shown in FIG. 6, the push bars 164, 174 initially have a generally L-shaped arrangement when the lever 170 is extended from the handpiece 106. In this disengaged position of the lever 170, the anvil 42 is spaced apart from the cartridge 44, as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. As the lever 170 is compressed towards the handpiece 106 (according to the arrow 180), the push bar 164 pushes the pin 172 along the slots 160 a, 160 b (according to the arrow 184). This movement also simultaneously forces the push bar 174 along the longitudinal axis of the manipulator 102 as guided by the pin 172 in the slots 162 a, 162 b (according to the arrow 186). The pins 172, 176 carry the flexible member 46 in the same direction away from the end effector 40. Overall, the flexible member 46 is withdrawn from the end effector 40 resulting in movement of the anvil 42 toward the cartridge 44. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a gap between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may vary when the surgeon clamps the stomach 10. In this regard, the clamping mechanism may be configured to create a gap at the distal end 42 a, 44 a of the end effector 40 that is less than the gap at the proximal end 42 b, 44 b of the end effector when the clamping mechanism is engaged. In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism may be configured to withdraw the flexible member 46 from the end effector 40 such that the length of flexible member between the distal ends 42 a, 42 b of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 is less than the length of flexible member 46 between the proximal ends 42 b, 44 b of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. As is described below, the anvil 42 may therefore be intentionally tilted relative to the cartridge 44 such that the gap is not uniformly formed between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. This gap configuration may then be imposed on the stomach 10 though it may produce more uniform pressure distribution on the stomach 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there may be other configurations resulting in a varying gap between the anvil and the cartridge that are useful in embodiments of the present invention.

Compression of the lever 170 into the engaged position results in the configuration of the endocutter stapling device 100 shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A, in which the push bars 164, 174 are generally aligned with respect to one another and the anvil 42 and cartridge 44 are compressed onto the stomach 10. In the generally aligned configuration between the push bars 164, 174, the path around which the flexible member 46 extends is lengthened relative to the L-shaped arrangement shown in FIG. 6. By lengthening the path, the flexible member 46 is carried rearwardly within the handpiece 106 during actuation of lever 170. This results in a corresponding withdrawal of the flexible member 46 from the end effector 40. Accordingly, the compression of the lever 170 toward the housing half 120 a pulls the anvil 42 towards the cartridge 44 as is indicated by arrow 52 in FIG. 7. This motion may result in compression of the stomach 10 between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44, as is shown in FIG. 7A. By way of example and not limitation, the clamping mechanism 122 may be capable of tensioning the flexible member 46 to about 200 lb at each end of the anvil 42. This may provide a clamping pressure of over 100 psi. Specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 may have a length of about 250 mm and a width of about 10 mm providing a surface area of about 25 cm². With 400 lb of total tension on the flexible member 46 (i.e., 200 lb on each side), the total compression pressure may be about 103 psi.

With reference now to FIG. 6A, in one embodiment, the anvil 42 includes a plurality of staple pockets 190 along a face 192 of the anvil 42. The cartridge 44 includes a face 194 that opposes the face 192 of the anvil 42. Each of the faces 192, 194 is configured to compress the stomach 10 therebetween. The staple pockets 190 in the face 192 generally align and correspond to a plurality of staples 198 and a plurality of staple drivers 200 that are housed in a plurality of staple channels 206 defined by the cartridge 44. The cartridge 44 includes a cartridge body 196 that may support the staples 198 and the staple drivers 200. The staples 198 are configured to be forced through the stomach 10 and be deformed by the staple pockets 190. It will be appreciated that deforming the staples 198 into a B-shaped configuration secures opposing sides of the stomach 10 together.

In one embodiment, to facilitate alignment between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44, and in particular, alignment between the staples 198 and the staple pockets 190, an alignment pin 202 may extend beyond the face 192 at the distal end 42 a of the anvil 42 or the face 194 at the distal end 44 a of the cartridge 44. The other face 192, 194 of the anvil 42 or the cartridge 44 includes a mating recess 204. Once the lever 170 is compressed, the flexible member 46 is pulled into the handpiece 106 by the clamping mechanism 122 as described above. This motion pulls the anvil 42 toward the cartridge 44 and the alignment pin 202 in conjunction with the recess 204 to facilitate proper alignment between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 to align the staples 198 with a corresponding pocket 190. With reference to FIG. 7A, the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 are shown to compress the stomach 10 between the face 192 of the anvil 42 and the face 194 of the cartridge 44 with the alignment pin 202 being received in the mating recess 204. In another aspect of the present invention, once the lever 170 is compressed, as is shown in FIG. 7, with the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 compressing the stomach 10 therebetween, the surgeon may staple and cut the stomach 10 along the staple line 12 (FIG. 1). To staple the stomach 10, the surgeon activates the stapling mechanism 124.

In that regard and with reference to FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, the stapling mechanism 124 includes a staple actuator 210 having a thumb tab 212. The staple actuator 210 further includes an actuator plate 214 that is coupled to the thumb tab 212. The actuator plate 214 is slidably received in a slot 218 (FIG. 3) formed between the housing halves 120 a, 120 b and is movable relative to the handpiece 106 as is indicated by the arrow 232 in FIGS. 8 and 9. The actuator plate 214 includes slots 222 a, 222 b spaced apart from an elongated slot 224. In the embodiment shown, the slots 222 a, 222 b each receive a wedge push bar 226 a, 226 b, respectively. As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b are elongated members that extend generally along the length of the handpiece 106 and through the shaft 104 and terminate proximate the end effector 40. The wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b are slidably received in corresponding channels 138 a, 138 b of the guide beam 136 and are positioned to slide into engagement with the staples 198 and the staple drivers 200 in the cartridge 44.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, each wedge push bar 226 a, 226 b terminates in a wedge tip 230 a, 230 b which, prior to activation of the stapling mechanism 124, is positioned to engage respective rows of the staple drivers 200 in the cartridge 44. The wedge tips 230 a, 230 b have a wedge-shaped configuration and, during a sliding motion through the end effector 40, are configured to force the staple drivers 200 toward the anvil 42 and drive the corresponding staples 198 through the compressed stomach 10 and into contact with the corresponding staple pockets 190 of the anvil 42. As shown best in FIGS. 10 and 10B, the shape of the wedge tips 230 a, 230 b forces the staples 198 into contact with the staple pockets 190 of the anvil 42 with sufficient force to deform the staples 198 and produce a B-shaped staple.

In one embodiment, the surgeon activates the stapling mechanism 124 by pushing the thumb tab 212 in the direction of the end effector 40 as is indicated by the arrow 232 in FIGS. 8 and 9. Pushing the thumb tab 212 slides each of the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b and the corresponding wedge tips 230 a, 230 b in the direction of the end effector 40. Specifically, and with reference now to FIGS. 10C-10D, pushing the thumb tab 212 (FIG. 8) moves the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b in the direction of the arrow 234. The wedge tip 230 a engages the staple drivers 200 in sequence and thereby forces the staples 198 into the corresponding staple pockets 190 on the anvil face 192 as is indicated by the arrows 238.

In another aspect of the present invention, the surgeon may cut the stomach 10 along the staple line 12 following stapling, described above. In one embodiment and with reference to FIG. 5, to cut the stomach 10, the surgeon activates the cutting mechanism 126. The cutting mechanism 126 includes a knife actuator 248 including the thumb tab 212 coupled to the actuator plate 214. As described above and with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the actuator plate 214 is slidably received in the slot 218 formed between the housing halves 120 a, 120 b and is movable relative to the handpiece 106 in a direction that is indicated by the arrow 232 in FIGS. 8 and 9.

With reference to FIGS. 10-10A, in one embodiment, the cutting mechanism 126 includes the elongated slot 224 in the actuator plate 214. A knife push bar 250 is slidably engaged in the elongated slot 224 and may be an elongated member extending from the actuator plate 214 through the handpiece 106 and the shaft 104 to a location adjacent the end effector 40. In that regard, the knife push bar 250 is slidably received in the channel 140 of the guide beam 136 and terminates in a cutting edge 252 proximate the end effector 40 (shown best in FIGS. 10-10D). As can be appreciated specifically by FIGS. 5, 10C and 10D, the knife push bar 250 lies in between the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b.

In one embodiment, the surgeon activates the cutting mechanism 126 by pushing the thumb tab 212 in the direction of the end effector 40 as is indicated by the arrow 232 in FIG. 8. Pushing the thumb tab 212 slides the knife push bar 250 via the actuator plate 214 and pushes the corresponding cutting edge 252 in the direction of the end effector 40. Specifically, and with reference now to FIGS. 10, 10A, and 10B, pushing the thumb tab 212 moves the cutting edge 252 in the direction of the arrow 254 along the longitudinal axis of the endocutter stapling device 100. Although not shown, the cutting edge 252 cuts the stomach that may be clamped between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the thumb tab 212 may activate each of the stapling mechanism 124 and the cutting mechanism 126. As is described above, the actuator plate 214 captures each of the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b and the knife push bar 250 in slots 222 a, 222 b and elongated slot 224, respectively. In one embodiment, even though the actuator plate 214 is operably coupled to each of the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b and the knife push bar 250, engagement of the stapling mechanism 124 occurs prior to actuation of the cutting mechanism 126. In other words, the stapling mechanism 124 engages prior to engagement of the cutting mechanism 126. The elongated slot 224 in the actuator plate 214 is oversized relative to the portion of the knife push bar 250 that is engaged with it. This configuration results in sliding space between the slot 224 and the knife push bar 250. The knife push bar 250 therefore slides relative to the actuator plate 214 during initial movement of the plate 214. The length of the movement of the actuator plate 214 without movement of the knife push bar 250 is predetermined.

The elongated slot 224 is also longer than each of the slots 222 a, 222 b. Because the knife push bar 250 is slidably received in the elongated slot 224, the initial movement of the actuator plate 214 in the direction of arrow 232 in FIG. 8 causes each of the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b to move in direct relation to the movement of the actuator plate 214. The movement of the knife push bar 250 is however delayed relative to the movement of the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b . This means that there is a delay between activation of the stapling mechanism 124 and the cutting mechanism 126. This delay is proportional to the free sliding space between the elongated slot 224 and the knife push bar 250.

When the surgeon pushes the thumb tab 212 in the direction of the arrow 232 in FIG. 8, the actuator plate 214 moves in the same direction and carries the wedge push bars 226 a and 226 b with it. The knife push bar 250 does not initially move. Instead, the actuator plate 214 must move a predetermined distance corresponding to the free sliding space in the direction of the end effector 40 before the actuator plate 214 engages the knife push bar 250. This is shown by way of comparison between FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, the actuator plate 214 has not engaged the knife push bar 250. In FIG. 9, the actuator plate 214 has moved a distance at least equivalent to the free sliding space and so the actuator plate 214 engages the knife push bar 250. This delay in movement between the wedge push bars 226 a, 226 b and the knife push bar 250 results in a difference in activation time between the stapling mechanism 124 and the cutting mechanism 126. In this manner, in one embodiment, activation of the stapling mechanism 124 precedes activation of the cutting mechanism 126.

Once the surgeon activates each of the stapling mechanism 124 and the cutting mechanism 126 by pushing on the thumb tab 212, stapling and cutting may occur substantially simultaneously. By way of example only, the stapling of the stomach 10 may precede the cutting of the stomach 10. That is, after an initial delay between stapling and cutting, during which the stapling mechanism 124 is activated, both of the stapling mechanism 124 and the cutting mechanism 126 are active. The surgeon may continue stapling and cutting the stomach 10 by continuing to push on the thumb tab 212 until the thumb tab 212 reaches the end of its stroke. It will be appreciated that the stroke of the thumb tab 212 may be greater than the overall length of the stomach 10. Further, the stroke of the thumb tab 212 may be approximately equal to the length of the end effector 40. At this point, the wedge tip 230 a, 230 b may be proximate the distal end 42 a, 44 a of the end effector 40. The end effector 40 and the shaft 104 may then be removed from the abdominal cavity with the stomach 10 having the configuration shown in, for example, FIG. 2E. Tensioning, stapling, and cutting mechanisms are further described in the commonly-owned International Application No. PCT/US2015/22904 filed Mar. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

With reference again to FIG. 1, as described above, the stomach 10 may vary in thickness from the antrum 24 to the fundus 26. Stomach specimens removed from patients have been analyzed for tissue thickness at three points along a resection line—the antrum 24, the fundus 26, and a mid-way point between the antrum 24 and the fundus 26 called the body. These values were used to estimate closed staple leg heights at these three locations. A closed staple leg height may be estimated based on a known tissue thickness along the staple line. Closed staple leg height refers to the height dimension of a deformed staple. Open staple leg height may be calculated from a closed staple leg height. Open staple leg height refers to the height dimension of a new staple. Thus, prior to stapling, each staple has an open staple leg height. During stapling, the staple may be forcibly deformed. Ideally, each leg of a staple is deformed to produce a B-shaped staple in which a tooth, sometimes referred to as a point, of each leg points in the direction of the crown. Following stapling, each deformed staple has a closed staple leg height. The average closed staple leg heights were estimated to be about 1.8 mm, about 2.4 mm, and about 3.0 mm for the fundus, the body, and the antrum, respectively. The average open staple leg heights were calculated to be about 3.8 mm, about 4.4 mm, and about 5.0 mm for the fundus, the body, and the antrum, respectively. Not being bound by theory, it is believed that the tissue thickness provides information regarding the closed staple leg height at a particular location. When all of the specimens and the estimated closed staple leg heights are considered, according to an embodiment of the invention, a relationship between the closed staple leg height and the variation in thickness of the human stomach along a targeted resection line was determined.

In this regard, an increase in average thickness from the fundus 26 to the antrum 24 was calculated. The increase was determined to be approximately linear with a degree of the increase in the average thickness of the stomach along the resection lines of these stomach specimens of about 0.382 degrees. As shown in FIG. 2B, the end effector 40 extends across the length of the stomach 10. When compressed, a gap between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 varies in a predetermined relationship relative to this change in tissue thickness. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may utilize predetermined changes in gap dimensions at defined locations between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 40.

To that end, in one embodiment and with reference to FIG. 11, an end effector 360 includes a gap 370 between the anvil 362 and the cartridge 364 at a proximal end 366 of the end effector 360 (“proximal gap 370”) and a gap 372 at a distal end 368 of the end effector 360 (“distal gap 372”). The proximal gap 370 is different from the distal gap 372. Specifically, the anvil 362 has a face 376 that includes a plurality of staple pockets 378, and the cartridge 364 has a face 380 that opposes the face 376 of the anvil 362. The proximal gap 370 and the distal gap 372 are measured between the faces 376 and 380. The orientation between the face 376 and the face 380 may therefore determine the gaps 370 and 372. In one embodiment, the proximal gap 370 is larger than the distal gap 372 when the stomach 10 is compressed between the anvil 362 and the cartridge 364. The difference between the gap 370 and the gap 372 may be determined based on the anatomy of the stomach 10 described above. By way of example, and not limitation, the distal gap 372 may range from, for example, about 1.5 mm to about 3.3 mm, and the proximal gap 370 may be in the range of about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm. Further, and without limitation, the angle of increase in the gap from the distal gap 372 to the proximal gap 370 may be from about 0.1° to about 1°.

Furthermore, the orientation between the anvil 362 and the cartridge 364 may determine all of the distances between the two faces 376, 380 from the proximal end 366 to the distal end 368. For example, with continued reference to FIG. 11, the face 376 of the anvil 362 may not be parallel with the face 380 of the cartridge 364. As shown, the face 376 may be uniformly sloped at an angle a relative to the face 380 of the cartridge 364. The distances between the face 376 and the face 380 may linearly decrease from the proximal gap 370 to the distal gap 372 according to the angle a. The angle a may be proportional to a corresponding change in the average closed staple leg heights according to a corresponding location along the staple line 12 on the stomach 10. That is, in one embodiment, the angle a may be directly related to a measured angle across the average closed staple leg heights by location on the stomach. By way of example only, and not limitation, the distal gap 372 may be about 1.7 mm, the proximal gap 374 may be about 3.3 mm, and the angle a may be about 0.367 degrees.

As is shown in FIG. 11 and is described in more detail below, the cartridge 364 houses staples 198 and staple drivers 200. Further, the cartridge 364 may be divided into zones in which the staples 198 differ in open leg length. The open leg length of the staples 198 may vary in accordance with the thickness of the stomach 10 when compressed. It should be recognized that these values are merely exemplary and the particular values for the distal and proximal gaps may depend on several factors, including the anatomical structure being clamped as well as other factors. Thus, the invention is not limited to the range of values provided herein. Various aspects of the present invention address the varying gap between the anvil and the cartridge to improve the quality and consistency of the staple line.

It will be recognized that the varying gap between the anvil and the cartridge along the length of the end effector may affect a delta gap of the formed staples. The delta gap is the difference in the gap between the leading leg and the staple crown and the gap between the lagging leg and the staple crown. In this regard, an end effector with a gap having an angle of about 0.382 degrees and including staples with a crown length of 2.65 mm, may produce a delta gap of about 0.0177 mm This does not exceed known exemplary delta gaps in staples formed using open linear staplers such as 0.21 mm and 0.29 mm.

In an alternative configuration in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, and with reference to FIGS. 12A-12C, in one embodiment, an end effector 400 includes an anvil 402 and a cartridge 404. The anvil 402 has a face 406, and the cartridge 404 has a face 408. As shown, a shim 410 is coupled to each of the anvil 402 and the cartridge 404. Each shim 410 increases in thickness from the proximal end 366 to the distal end 368 of the anvil 402. An exemplary shim is shown in FIG. 13. A shim 410 may be formed from material that is bio-absorbable. The material may also be flexible, and, if it is a polymer, the material may be such that it will not cross link further to become a rigid structure. By way of example, and not limitation, the shim material may include dilactones, bioresorbable elastomer made from poly(glycerol sebacate), polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PGA), a copolymer of e-caprolactone and glycolide, or a non-absorabable polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The shim material may also include biologic materials such as bovine pericardium, small intestinal submucosa laminate, or acellular dermal matrix.

The change in thickness of each shim 410 may be determined based on the change in thickness of the stomach 10, described above. By way of example, the thickness of each shim 410 at predetermined locations along the length of the shim 410 may be determined at least in part using the estimated thickness of the stomach 10 and the gap between the face 406 of the anvil 402 and the face 408 of the cartridge 404 at a given location along the length of the stomach 10 when the faces 406 and 408 are substantially parallel. By way of example, the thickness of each shim 410 may be about one half of the difference in height between the gap and the thickness of the stomach 10 (when compressed) at each location between the faces 406 and 408. With this configuration, the shims 410 compensate for the expected variation in the compressed stomach thickness. When the stomach 10 is compressed between the anvil 402 and the cartridge 404, the change in thickness of the shims 410 and the corresponding change in thickness of the stomach 10 provide a generally overall consistent total gap between the faces 406 and 408 over the length of the end effector 400.

With reference to FIGS. 12B and 12C, during actuation of the end effector 400, as the wedges 230 a, 230 b push the staple drivers (not shown) toward the anvil 402, the staples 198 pierce through each of the shims 410 at the faces 406, 408 and come into contact with the staple pockets (not shown). As is shown, once the staple line is complete, the staples 198 having the same open leg length (as is shown in FIG. 12A) will also have generally the same closed leg length along the length of the staple line. Advantageously, using the shims 410 may reduce the likelihood of improper staple formation due to the variable thickness of the stomach 10 since the gap between the faces 406 and 408 is substantially uniform from the proximal end 366 to the distal end 368. Additionally, the presence of the shims 410 may act as reinforcement to the staple line 12, as can be appreciated from FIG. 12C in which the shims 410 form part of the staple line 12. Further, because each of the staples 198 has the same open leg length along the entire staple line 12, the surgeon is not required to estimate the stomach thickness to determine what staple open leg length should be placed in the cartridge 404. Aspects of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangement, where both the anvil 402 and the cartridge 404 include a shim 410. In one embodiment, for example, the cartridge 404 may be coupled to a shim, while the anvil 402 is not coupled to a shim. Other alternative arrangements may also be possible.

In one embodiment and with reference to FIG. 14A, a shim 412 may extend along a part of the length of the anvil 402 and/or along a part of the length of the cartridge 404. In FIG. 14A, one shim 412 extends from about the midway point of the anvil 402 to the distal end 402 a of the anvil 402 and another shim 412 extends from about the midway point of the cartridge 404 to the distal end 404 a the cartridge 404. In this regard, the shims 412 are located adjacent the thinner portion of the stomach 10 and are generally thinner and shorter than the corresponding shims 410 shown in FIG. 12A-12C.

During actuation, some of the staples 198 pass only through the stomach 10 from the cartridge 404 to the anvil 402, while other staples 198 will pass through the shims 412 and the stomach 10 before reaching the staple pockets (not shown). Once the staple line 12 is complete, the staples 198 having the same open leg length will also have generally the same closed leg length along the length of the stomach 10, as is shown in FIG. 14B. In other words, the varying thickness of the shims 412 and the varying thickness of the stomach 10 combine to provide a generally equal thickness along the length of the staple line. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangement, in which the shims 412 extends over generally half of the length of the anvil 402 and cartridge 404.

With reference to FIG. 15A, in one embodiment, an end effector 420 includes an anvil 422 and a cartridge 424 where a gap between the anvil 422 and the cartridge 424 increases in a stepped configuration from distal ends 422 a, 424 a to proximal ends 422 b, 424 b. In the exemplary embodiment, the face 428 of the cartridge 424 includes segments 430, 432, and 434. Each segment 430, 432, 434 resides in a plane that differs from planes for each of the other segments 430, 432, 434 to produce three different gap dimensions with the face 426 of the anvil 422. The different gap dimensions may be related to the difference in thickness of the stomach 10 along the staple line 12, as is described above. As shown, the staples 198 in each segment 430, 432, 434 may have the same open leg length. To accommodate for the difference in height in each segment 430, 432, 434, the staple drivers 200 vary in height by segment 430, 432, 434. Thus, as the wedge (not shown) forces the staple drivers 200 toward the anvil 422, the staples 198 will be fully pushed out of the staple channels. While three segments 430, 432, 434 are shown, it will be appreciated that the face 428 of the cartridge 424 may be defined by at least two segments and may be defined by more than three segments. It should be appreciated that there may be other configurations that allow for the staples 198 to pass through the staple channels of varying height.

Once the end effector 420 has been fully actuated, the staples 198 within each individual segment 430, 432, 434 will generally have the same open leg length, as shown in FIG. 15B, but differ in closed leg lengths compared to each of the adjacent segments 430, 432, 434 due to the stepped configuration of the gap between the anvil 422 and the cartridge 424. By way of example only, the staples 198 near the proximal end of the staple line 12 will have a greater closed leg length than the staples 198 near the distal end of the staple line 12. In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the stepped configuration of the cartridge 424 aids in providing a consistent staple deformation by taking into account the varying thickness of the stomach 10. Further, the surgeon is not required to determine what size staples to use based on the expected thickness of the stomach 10.

It should be realized that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangements in FIGS. 15A-15B. For instance, the face of the anvil may include a stepped configuration similar to that of the cartridge 424 shown in FIG. 15A and provide a similar tiered difference in gap between opposing faces of the anvil and the cartridge. By way of example, with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, in which like reference numerals refer to like features of FIGS. 15A and 15B, an end effector 440 includes an anvil 442 and a cartridge 444 where a gap between the anvil 442 and the cartridge 444 increases in a stepped configuration from the distal ends 442 a, 444 a to the proximal ends 442 b, 444 b. In the exemplary embodiment, the face 426 of the anvil 442 includes segments 450, 452, and 454. Each segment 450, 452, 454 resides in a plane that differs from planes for each of the other segments 450, 452, 454 to produce three different gap dimensions with the face 428 of the cartridge 444. The different gap dimensions may be related to the difference in thickness of the stomach 10 along the staple line 12, as is described above. As shown, the staples 198 in each segment 450, 452, 454 may have the same open leg length. Since there is no height difference in the cartridge 444, the staple drivers 200 also have the same height in each segment 450, 452, 454. Thus, as the wedge (not shown) forces the staple drivers 200 toward the anvil 422, the staples 198 will be fully pushed out of the staple channels. While three segments 450, 452, 454 are shown, it will be appreciated that the face 426 of the anvil 442 may be defined by at least two segments or may be defined by more than three segments.

While each staple 198 within each segment 430, 432, 434 as is shown in FIG. 15A and each staple 198 within each segment 450, 452, 454 as is shown in FIG. 16A, has an equivalent open leg length, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to embodiments in which each staple 198 has an equivalent open leg length. With reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B, in which like reference refer to like features throughout the figures. In an exemplary embodiment, the end effector 420 cartridge 424 includes four segments 430, 432, 434, 436 where the open leg lengths of the staples 198 in each segment differ. The open leg lengths of staples vary among manufacturers. For instance, blue, gold, green, and black colors may be used to indicate staple having open leg lengths of 3.5 mm, 3.8 mm, 4.1 mm, and 4.4 mm, respectively. By way of example only, and not limitation, the segments 430, 432, 434, 436 may include black, green, gold, and blue staples, respectively. While the staples 198 within each segment 430, 432, 434, 436 are shown as having the same open leg length, it will be appreciated that the open leg lengths of the staples 198 within each segment 430, 432, 434, 436 may be different, as is described below. The segments 430, 432, 434, 436 may differ in relative proportion and so embodiments of the present invention are not limited to each segment 430, 432, 434, 436 having the same relative length. As a result, the number of staples 198 in each segment 430, 432, 434, 436 may be different.

As is described above with respect to FIG. 11, in one embodiment, the proximal gap 370 and the distal gap 372 may be different and the face 376 of the anvil 362 may be oriented at an angle a with respect to the face 380 of the anvil 362. Where the gap between the distal end 368 and the proximal end 370 increases linearly, the angle a between the face 376 of the anvil 362 and the face 380 of the cartridge 364 may be determined. In a similar configuration and with reference to FIG. 18, the end effector 360 may include zones of staples 198, with one or more zones having staples 198 of different open leg lengths. The angle a may be used to determine the incremental increase in the gap between the anvil 362 and the cartridge 364 for the purpose of selecting different staples 198 for the zone. Based on this incremental increase, the cartridge 364 may be divided into, for example, zones 1, 2, and 3, as shown. The dimensions of each zone 1, 2, and 3 may be determined according to a minimum closed leg length necessary to adequately staple the tissue in that zone. And, the staples 198 in each zone may have an open leg length that exceeds a minimum open leg length necessary to provide the minimum closed leg length within that zone.

Determining the minimum closed leg length according to zones allows for a determination of the appropriate open leg length for the staples 198 in the respective zone. With reference to FIG. 19, and by way of example, and not limitation, the distal gap may be about 1.7 mm, and the proximal gap may be about 3.3 mm The angle a may be approximately 0.367 degrees. This information may be used to calculate zones of different open leg lengths. The number and length of each zone may be varied based on the proximal gap and distal gap of the end effector 360. In FIG. 19, the cartridge 364 includes three zones of, for example, blue (3.5 mm), gold (3.8 mm), and green (4.1 mm) open staple leg lengths from the distal end to the proximal end. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangement, where the cartridge 364 includes four zones of staples 198 having different open leg lengths. Other alternative arrangements may also be possible.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 20A-20C, using the exemplary color-coded open staple leg lengths, the zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the cartridge 364 may use blue (3.5 mm), gold (3.8 mm), green (4.1 mm), and black (4.4 mm) staples, respectively. Each color is associated with a specific open leg length. After completion of the staple line, the staples 198 within each zone 1, 2, 3, and 4 may have approximately the same closed leg length, as shown in FIG. 20C.

According to one aspect of the present invention and with reference to FIG. 21, in one embodiment, the cartridge 364 may be randomly loaded with staples 198 having different open leg lengths. In this manner, a random fill of the cartridge 364 may be advantageous in that it “automatically” adjusts for the variation in tissue thickness along the length of the staple line 12. That is, within the random staples 198 it is likely that one or more will exceed the minimum open leg length necessary to provide the necessary closed leg length. After the staple line 12 is complete, the closed leg lengths of the staples 198 will vary depending on the open leg length and the gap between the cartridge 364 and the anvil (not shown). Randomly filling the cartridge 364 with staples 198 of different sizes is an improvement over conventional staplers where the surgeon is required to determine what size staples 198 should be used because at least a portion of the staples 198 in the random fill are likely to be the appropriate length.

In one embodiment, the changing thickness of the stomach may be used in part to determine what minimum open leg length to use in each zone of a cartridge. A random selection of different staples may be made with respect to that minimum. That is, a distribution of staples of different open leg lengths may be selected with staples having open leg lengths above and below the minimum open leg length. With reference to FIG. 22, in one embodiment, the staples 198 having different open leg lengths may be placed within the cartridge 364 according to a probability based on the average stomach thickness at that location. This is similar to the zones described above but with staples having different open leg lengths within a particular zone. Within each zone, the staples 198 may be randomly filled. Further in this regard, the change in the gap between the cartridge 364 and the anvil (not shown) may be calculated along the length of the cartridge 364 and may be utilized to further improve the probability determination on a zone by zone basis. As is shown in FIG. 22, staples 198 having a larger open leg length may be used more frequently near the antrum or near the proximal end 366 of the cartridge 364, and staples 198 having a shorter open leg height may be used more frequently near the fundus or near the distal end 368 of the cartridge 364.

In one embodiment using these exemplary staples, staples 198 in one or more zones of the cartridge 364 adjacent the antrum 24 may include about 70% black staples, about 20% green staples, and about 10% blue staples. Staples 198 in one or more zones of the cartridge 364 adjacent the fundus 26 may include about 90% blue staples and about 10% green staples. Finally, staples 198 in one or more zones of the cartridge 364 between the antrum 24 and the fundus 26 may include about 33% black staples, about 33% green staples, and about 33% blue staples. Including staples 198 having varying open leg lengths based on a determined probability of the tissue thickness advantageously provides an improved likelihood that one or more staples 198 are appropriately sized within any given zone based on the varying tissue thickness of the stomach 10.

With reference to FIGS. 23 and 23A-23C, in one embodiment, in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, the cartridge 364 includes one or more zones of staples 198 in which the open leg lengths of the staples 198 change according to a particular pattern in one or more directions. That is, the staples 198 are not randomly distributed, as described above. Rather, the staples 198 are arranged in a predetermined, organized pattern. By way of example, the staples 198 may be arranged to change size in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 364, referred to as columns, and/or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 364, referred to as rows. FIG. 23 depicts a single row of staples 198 that may be divided into zones 1 and 2 of staples 198. Each zone 1 and 2 may have a single predetermined open leg length of staple 198, as shown. The predetermined pattern of the staples 198 having different open leg lengths along the rows and/or columns of the cartridge 364 may be determined based upon the expected closed leg length in each zone, as is described above.

With reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the cartridge 364 may include four rows I, II, III, and IV of staples 198. Each row of staples 198 within each zone may be of different open leg length and/or gauge. For example, column A, shown in FIG. 23A, may include staples 198 of a different gauge than the staples 198 in column B, shown in FIG. 23B, though the open leg length of the staples 198 in the corresponding rows of each column may be the same. Taking each of the rows and columns shown in FIGS. 23-23B into account, each zone with the corresponding rows and columns may be shown in FIG. 23C. Zones 1 and 2 include staples 198 of different open leg lengths. Zones 1 and 2 also differ in the wire diameter, or gauge, of the staples 198. By way of example, and with continued reference to FIG. 23C, zone 1 may include rows I, II, and III of staples 198 having open leg lengths of 4 mm, 4.5 mm, and 5 mm, respectively, in each column. Zone 2 may include rows I, II, and III of staples 198 having open leg lengths of 3 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4 mm, respectively. The staples 198 of row IV is on the to-be-excised portion of stomach 10 and is shown in phantom. The number and length of the zones will vary based on the proximal and distal gaps of the end effector as is described above. Thus, it should be realized that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangement, where the cartridge 364 includes two zones of rows and columns having staples 198 of different open leg lengths and/or different gauges. Other alternative arrangements may also be possible.

With reference to FIG. 24A, in one embodiment, a cartridge 460 may be configured to include a plurality of magazines 462 that may be separated and reassembled. Each magazine 462 may include three rows 464 of staples 198 and be assembled to define a channel 468 for a cutting knife (not shown). The stomach 10 is often stapled on both sides of the cutting blade to prevent the release of undesirable contents of the excised portion of the stomach into the abdominal cavity. While the rows 464 on each side of the channel 468 are specifically shown to mirror one another, it would be readily appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, the rows 464 of staples 198 on the side of the stomach that will be excised (anatomical left) need not mirror the rows of staples on the side of the resultant stomach pouch (anatomical right).

With reference to FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C, the magazines 462 may have an interlocking feature 470 that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, includes a projection 472 that extends outwardly from a main body 474 of the magazine 462 and a recess 476 that extends into the main body 474 of the magazine 462. When the magazines 462 are assembled, the adjacent magazines 462 engage each other through abutting contact. More particularly, the projection 472 is positioned within the recess 476 to couple adjacent magazines 462 back-to-back. The interlock between adjacent magazines 462 may more firmly stabilize the cartridge 460 during use but allow the surgeon to adjust the overall length of the cartridge 460. The interlocking feature 470 may also more easily allow for the rows 464 to be positioned with the staples 198 staggered from each adjacent row. By way of example, without limitation, the magazine 462 may be from about 5 mm to about 260 mm in length. In one embodiment, the magazine 462 may be, for example, about 60 mm in length. In this case, four magazines 462 may be used to prepare one staple line. Each magazine 462 may include staples 198 having open leg lengths different from the staples 198 in an adjacent or another magazine 462. Other alternative arrangements may also be possible.

The surgeon may determine which magazine 462 to use based on the included open staple leg lengths and the thickness of the stomach as described above. Further, the magazines 462 may vary in height, as shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C with one or more of the heights H1, H2, and H3 of the magazines 462 differing from one another. In this regard, the gap between the cartridge 460 and the anvil (not shown) may vary along the length of the cartridge 460 in a staggered configuration by each magazine 462. In one embodiment, four magazines 462 from the proximal end to the distal end may include staples 198 having an open leg length of 4.4 mm (black), 4.1 mm (green), 3.8 mm (gold), and 3.5 mm (blue), respectively. When these magazines 462 are placed into the cartridge 460 and the stomach 10 is compressed between the anvil (not shown) and the cartridge 460, the gap at each of the four magazines may be 2.3 mm, 2.0 mm, 1.8 mm, and 1.5 mm, respectively. In this regard, the surgeon may advantageously adapt the cartridge 460 depending on the anatomy of the individual patient. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there may be other configurations of magazines 462 useful in embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 25 and 26A and 26B, in one embodiment, a cartridge 480 includes a plurality of magazines 482 that may be elongated as compared to the magazines 462 described above with reference to FIGS. 24A-24C. In one embodiment, each magazine 462 may extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge 480. Each magazine 482 may include one or more rows of staples 198 in multiple columns. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a separate magazine 482 defines each of rows I, II, III, and IV with row IV having two staggered columns of staples 198. As with the magazines 462 above, each magazine 482 may include staples 198 having different open leg lengths and/or gauges from the staples 198 in adjacent magazines 462. Further, the magazines 462 may vary in height. In this regard, the gap between the cartridge 480 and the anvil (not shown) may vary in the transverse direction, as shown by comparison of FIGS. 27A and 27B. The magazines 482 may be, for example, about 250 mm in length. The surgeon may determine which magazines 482 to use based on the included open staple leg lengths and personal preferences regarding the completed staple line. In one embodiment, the surgeon may choose staples 198 having a larger open leg length adjacent an outer edge 486 of the cartridge 480 and staples 198 having a smaller open leg length adjacent a knife channel 488 in the cartridge 480. In this regard, the surgeon may advantageously adapt the cartridge 480 depending on the anatomy of the individual patient.

With reference to FIGS. 27A-27C in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, in one embodiment, a shim 490 is coupled to each of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. The shims 490 increase in thickness from the first edges 492, 494 to the second edges 496, 498 of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44. When the stomach 10 is compressed between the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44, the predetermined thickness of the shims 490 provides different levels of compression across the width of the staple line 12, as is shown in FIG. 27B. In other words, the portion of the shims 490 with a greater thickness provides more compression. During actuation of the wedge (not shown), the staple drivers 200 are forced toward the anvil 42, the staples 198 pierce through the shims 490 coupled to each of the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 to come into contact with the staple pockets 190.

Once the stomach 10 has been stapled, the staples 198 having the same open leg length will also have generally the same closed leg length along the width of the staple line 12 even though the thickness of the stomach gradually decreases toward the edge of the staple line 12. The increased compression along the edge of the resultant stomach pouch aids in providing hemostasis and reducing the possibility of dehiscence. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arrangement, where both the anvil 42 and the cartridge 44 include a shim 490. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the shim 490 may be coupled to the anvil 42, while the cartridge 44 does not include a shim Furthermore, the configuration of the shim 490 may be used in conjunction with the shim 410 show in FIGS. 13 and 14A. As a result, the thickness of the shims may change in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the end effector (see e.g., FIG. 13) and may also change in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end effector (see e.g., FIG. 27A).

With reference to FIGS. 28A and 28B, in which like reference numerals refers to like features throughout the figures, in one embodiment, a shim 500 is positioned on the face 194 of the cartridge 44 adjacent the knife channel 488 over selected rows I and II of staples 198. A second shim 502 is coupled to the face 192 of the anvil 42 and a location that opposes the first shim 500 on the face 194 of the cartridge 44. Once the stomach 10 has been stapled, the shims 500, 502 may form a portion of the staple line 12 and provide a localized increase in compression across a selected width of the tissue in the staple line 12, as is illustrated in FIG. 28B. Alternative arrangements may also be possible.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30A, in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, in one embodiment, the cartridge 44 includes rows I, II, III, V, VI, and VII of staples 198. The staples 198 in one or more of the rows I, II, III, and IV may have different crown lengths, different leg lengths, and/or different wire diameters. In the exemplary embodiment shown, rows I and II may include staples 198 having a shorter leg length than the staples 198 in rows III and VI, as shown in FIG. 30A. Additionally, the staples 198 in rows I and II may have a smaller wire diameter, or gauge, than the wire diameter of the staples 198 in rows III and VI. In this regard, the staples 198 in rows III and VI may provide relatively more mechanical strength to the staple line 12 and the staples 198 and rows I and II. Instead, the staples 198 of rows I and II may provide improved hemostasis compared to the staples 198 in rows III and VI. As discussed above, the rows of staples on the to-be-excised side of the stomach 10 need not match or be similar to the rows of staples 198 on the side of the resultant stomach pouch. For example, rows V and VII may include staples 198 having a similar crown length as the staples 198 in rows III and VI. In one embodiment, the crown length and wire diameter of the staples 198 in each of the rows I, II, III, V, VI, and VII may vary along the length of the cartridge 44 as described above.

With reference to FIG. 30B and 30C, in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, in one embodiment, the end effector 40 includes an anvil 510 and a cartridge 512. The anvil 510 has an anvil face 514, and the cartridge 512 has a face 516, which opposes the face 514 of the anvil 510. As shown, the face 514 as an irregular configuration that does not mirror the planar surface defined by the face 516 of the cartridge 512. In the configuration shown, the anvil 510 has a cross-sectional configuration in which the face 514 is generally V-shaped. In this regard, the face 514 may include two sloped portions 518 and 520 that intersect the knife channel 488 in the anvil 510. The gap between the anvil 510 and the cartridge 512 varies side to side, that is, between the sloped portion 518 and the face 516 and between the sloped portion 520 and the face 516. In the embodiment shown, each row of staples 198 in the cartridge 512 includes staples 198 having the same open leg length. By way of example only, the gap is greater at the outside edges of the anvil 510 and the cartridge 512 than the gap adjacent edges of the knife channel 488. Due to the angle of the sloped portions 518 and 520, the staple pockets 190 will be separated by different distances as compared to an anvil face that is parallel to the face of a cartridge (for example, as shown in FIG. 6A). Further, the spacing of the staple pockets 190 between the sloped portion 518 may differ from the spacing of the staple pockets 190 of the sloped portion 520. More specifically, the angle of the sloped portion 518 relative to the cartridge 512 may be used to determine the location of each staple pocket 190 in the slope portion 518. The same determination may be made with respect to the sloped portion 520. By way of example only, and not limitation, the anvil 510 may be about 2.5 mm wide and may be spaced about 1.0 mm from the cartridge 512 adjacent the knife channel 488 and about 1.4 mm at the edge of the anvil 510. In this embodiment, the angle of the sloped portions 518 and 520 may each be about 10.8 degrees off parallel with respect to the cartridge face 516. Where the cartridge 512 has rows I, II, and III of staples 198 that are spaced about 1.25 mm apart, the corresponding rows of pockets 190 in the sloped portion 518 may be spaced about 2.7 mm apart from the row II and may be spaced 2.55 mm apart from the row III.

During activation of the end effector 40, the wedges (not shown) push the staple drivers 200 and the staples 198 toward the anvil 510. Where the same wedge (not shown) forces the staples 198 toward the anvil 510, the staples 198 in row I contact the staple pockets 190 before the staples 198 in rows II and III because of the shorter distance to the sloped portion 518 proximate row I. The staples 198 in row II contact the staple pockets 190 in the face 514 before the staples 198 in row III for the same reason.

Once the stomach 10 has been stapled, the staples 198 having the same open leg length may have different closed leg lengths along the width of the staple line, as is illustrated in FIG. 30C. In this regard, the staples 198 in row I may have a smaller closed leg length compared to the staples 198 in rows II and III. Similarly, the staples 198 in row III may have a larger closed leg length than the staples 198 in rows I and II. In this configuration, the compression provided by the end effector 40 and difference in closed leg length of the staples 198 across the width of the staple line 12 may improve the integrity of the staple line 12.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 31, in which like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the figures, an end effector 570 includes an anvil 572, a cartridge 574, and an alignment mechanism 576 that aids in alignment of the anvil 572 with the cartridge 574 and further aids in providing uniform compression of the tissue between the anvil 572 and the cartridge 574. A guide slot 578 extends through the cartridge 574 and opens to the cartridge face 194. A guide channel 580 extends axially through the cartridge 574. The guide slot 578 opens to the guide channel 580. The anvil 572 includes a guide slot 582 that opens to an anvil guide channel 584 and opens to the face 192.

In one embodiment, the alignment mechanism 576 includes an I-beam knife 590 that has an I-shaped cross sectional configuration, much like an I-beam. The knife 590 has a top flange 592, a bottom flange 594, and a web 596 connecting the top flange 592 to the bottom flange 594. The top flange 592 slidably engages the guide channel 580 of the anvil 572 and the bottom flange 594 slidably engages the guide channel 580 of the cartridge 574. This configuration improves the rigidity of the end effector 570 during stapling/cutting. The I-beam configuration may substantially prevent any torque produced by the stapling/cutting action from twisting the anvil 572 relative to the cartridge 574 as can be appreciated by the cross-section shown in FIG. 31 in which the knife 590 is shown to positively lock the anvil 572 relative to the cartridge 574 and thereby prevent their separation and relative side-to-side motion during cutting/stapling. Other configurations are possible.

In an alternate embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 32, the knife 590 may have a Y-shaped top flange 600. In this embodiment where the anvil face 192 is not parallel to the cartridge face 194 in the transverse direction, the Y-shaped top flange 600 may provide improved alignment within a complimentarily shaped guide channel 584. Alignment mechanisms are further described further described in the commonly-owned International Application No. PCT/US2015/22904 filed Mar. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

When the anatomical structure is being compressed by the anvil and the cartridge, the compression should be great enough to stop the flow of blood to the area to be stapled and/or cut. At the same time, the anatomical structure should be compressed to create a desired gap between the anvil and the cartridge to achieve a B-shaped staple configuration along the staple line 12. Once a staple is formed in the B-shaped configuration, the configuration resists changes to the formed height. Accordingly, it is important to provide sufficient compression along the length of the end effector, which becomes more challenging as the length of the end effector increases. Conventional end effectors do not address the issue of providing sufficient compression along an end effector where the tissue thickness varies over the length of the anatomical structure being stapled while also providing the desired gap for achieving a B-shaped staple.

In one embodiment, and with reference now to FIGS. 33-36, the changing gap between the anvil and the cartridge, as is described above in for example FIG. 11, may affect the track defined by the guide channels 580 and 584 of the alignment mechanism 576. In an aspect of the present invention, adjusting the configuration of the anvil face and/or the cartridge face to compensate for the decrease in tissue thickness from the antrum 24 to the fundus 26 may allow for uniform compression and B-shaped staple formation along the length of the end effector. In FIG. 33, the cartridge face 194 is not parallel to the anvil face 192. However, the guide channel 584 is parallel to the anvil face 192. The orientation of the guide channel 580 may be angled to extend through the cartridge 574 at an angle that is nearly equivalent to but oppositely oriented from the angle between the cartridge face 194 and the anvil face 192. With this configuration, the track of the knife 590 is the same along the end effector 570. The gap between the anvil 572 and the cartridge 574 changes as described above with reference to FIG. 11. In this regard, the angled cartridge face 194 may compensate for the angled thickness of the stomach 10 while sufficient compression and B-shaped staple formation is maintained along the length of the end effector 570. The cartridge 574 may be a unitary body, the angled cartridge face 194 being an integral part of the unitary body. Alternatively, a separate element (e.g., a shim) may be coupled to the cartridge 574 to result in the angled configuration.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 34, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the figures, the anvil face 192 is angled relative to the cartridge face 194, while the guide channel 584 of the anvil 572 is generally parallel to the cartridge face 194. As shown, the guide channel 584 is oriented at an angle relative to the anvil face 192 so that the track for the knife 590 is constant. In this regard, the angled anvil face 192 may compensate for the angled thickness of the stomach 10 while sufficient compression is maintained along the length of the end effector 570. The anvil 572 may be a unitary body, the angled anvil face 192 being an integral part of the unitary body. Alternatively, a separate element (e.g., a shim) may be coupled to the anvil 572 to result in the angled configuration.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 35, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the figures, the guide channels 580 and 584 are parallel to each other but are each angled relative to the faces 192, 194. In FIG. 36, the cartridge face 194 includes a stepped configuration similar to the shown in, for example, FIG. 15A. The guide channels 580 and 584 are parallel to one another. In this regard, the stepped configuration of the cartridge face 194 may compensate for the angled thickness of the stomach 10 while sufficient compression and B-shaped staple formation is maintained along the length of the end effector 570. The cartridge 574 may be a unitary body, the stepped cartridge face 194 being an integral part of the unitary body. Alternatively, a separate element (e.g., a shim) may be coupled to the cartridge 574 to result in the stepped configuration.

FIGS. 37A-40B each illustrate shapes of staples 198 and shapes of staple pockets 190. In FIGS. 37A and 37B, a B-shaped staple is shown. To shape the staples 198 into a conventional B shape, the tips of the staple legs may be bent past the crown. It will be appreciated that this shape may result from deformation caused by forcing a staple 198 into the staple pockets 190 shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B. Staple pockets include paired staple leg receiving cups that are mirror images in the anvil face. In FIGS. 38A and 38B, a “2-D”-shaped staple 198 is shown. This 2-D configuration may be advantageous where staples 198 having the same open leg length are configured to have different closed leg lengths. This configuration may be produced with the staple pocket 190 shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B. If the tips of the staple legs are bent so that they extend past the crown, there is a possibility the tips may snag or puncture tissue near the stomach. To prevent this, the staple pockets 190 can be configured to allow for the arc segment of the bent staple legs to have a wider radius. More specifically, the longitudinal portion of the staple pockets 190 is created by two intersecting arcs. The first arc has a radius of about 0.040 inch to about 0.060 inch that is cut to a depth of 0.010 inch to 0.030 inch. A second arc is has a radius of about 0.030 inch to about 0.050 inch. At the center of the staple pockets 190, the first and second arcs intersect. The distance between the two paired cups is from about one times the radius of the staple wire to about two times the radius of the stapler wire. The transverse shape of the 2-D pocket is created by parabolic arcs that intersect with the longitudinal arcs to create a rectangular shaped cut into the surface of the pocket. The rectangular-shaped cut is about four times to about six times the diameter of the staple wire and the length is about half of the radius to about one times the radius of the span of the crown of the staple. Pocket shapes according to embodiments of the present invention may be sized for staples having any crown length, wire diameter, and leg length. In this manner, the bent tips will not cross the midline of the crowns of the staples 198. In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 38A and 38B where there is a gap increase between the anvil and the cartridge in the transverse plane (transverse to the longitudinal direction), both of the leading (distal) and lagging (proximal) staple legs will be deflected to the same side of the crown (shown in FIG. 38B). Consequently, the legs of the staples 198 may cross.

In embodiments of the end effector, where there is a gap increase between the anvil and the cartridge, for example, like that shown in FIG. 11, the leading leg of each staple 198 will contact the leading pocket and begin bending before the lagging leg contacts the lagging pocket when the surgeon fires the stapling mechanism. With reference to FIGS. 39A-40B, the staple pockets 190 may be configured to bend the leading leg so that it is out of the way of the lagging leg when the lagging leg crosses the leading leg. In this manner, the trajectory of the bent second leg is not interrupted by collision with the already bent leading leg. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other alternative arrangements may also be possible to prevent the tips of the staple legs from crossing below the staple crowns.

As discussed above, the portion of the stomach being resected is often stapled along with the stomach sleeve to prevent undesirable leakage of contents therefrom. With reference to FIG. 41, an exemplary embodiment includes the endocutter stapling device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 3 and a clamp 610. Before actuation of the endocutter stapling device 100, the clamp 610 may be clamped onto the tissue adjacent the endocutter stapling device 100 that will be excised after the staple line is complete. In other words, the clamp 610 may be to the anatomical left of the endocutter stapling device 100. With this configuration, stapling the to-be-excised portion of the stomach 10 would not be necessary due to the compression provided by the clamp 610. In this regard, the endocutter stapling device 100 may be configured to only staple the tissue that will become the stomach sleeve. The clamping force provided by the clamp 610 may supplement the clamping force provided by the endocutter stapling device 100. This additional compression near the cut line may result in an improved staple line. After the staple line is complete, the excised portion would still be clamped by the clamp 610, as shown in FIG. 41.

In one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 42, a spacer 620 may be coupled to the anvil 42 of the endocutter stapling device 100. The spacer may have a width of, for example, about 1 cm. The staple line 12 is frequently 1 cm away from the gastroesophageal junction 22, and using the spacer 620 to space the endocutter stapling device 100 apart from the gastroesophageal junction 22 would assure a proper spacing from this anatomical landmark. Properly spacing the endocutter stapling device 100 from the gastroesophageal junction 22 ensures that staples are not formed on a part of the esophagus. While the spacer 620 is specifically shown as being coupled to the anvil 42, it would be readily appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the spacer 620 may alternatively or additionally be coupled to the cartridge 44.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the inventor to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Further, it should be recognized that the spacing and scale of certain elements depicted in the Figures may be exaggerated to aid in the understanding of the present invention. Consequently, the Figures may be seen as schematic representations rather than exact representations of embodiments. Though the embodiments described herein were primarily directed to a stapler, it is clear that many of the aspects of the present invention may be utilized with additional devices. By way of example, the embodiments described herein may operate as a surgical clamp or a stabilizing device independent of the aspects of the present invention that allow the embodiments to act as a stapler. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The various features of the invention may be used alone or in any combination depending on the needs and preferences of the user. 

1. An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, the anatomical structure having a first side and a second side, the end effector comprising: an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the first side of the anatomical structure; and a cartridge that is configured to house a plurality of staples and that includes a first end, a second end, and a face that is positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure, the first end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the first end of the anvil and the second end of the cartridge is movably coupled to the second end of the anvil, the anvil being movable relative to the cartridge to define a first gap between the faces at the first ends that is less than a second gap between the faces at the second ends.
 2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the decrease from the first gap to the second gap is determined by an angle of from about 0.1° to about 1°.
 3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the first gap is from about 1.5 mm to about 3.3 mm.
 4. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the second gap is from about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm.
 5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the first ends define a distal end of the end effector and the second ends define a proximal end of the end effector.
 6. The end effector of claim 1, further comprising: a shim coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and defining at least one of the first gap and the second gap.
 7. The end effector of claim 6, wherein each face defines a width and the shim extends the width of at least one of the faces.
 8. The end effector of claim 6, wherein a thickness of the shim varies across a width of the shim.
 9. The end effector of claim 1, further comprising: a shim that is coupled to the face of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge, the shim having a first end, a second end, and a thickness, the thickness of the shim at the first end being different than the thickness of the shim at the second end.
 10. The end effector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the faces of the anvil and the cartridge has a stepped configuration including at least two segments that are offset from one another, one segment defines the first gap and the other segment defines the second gap.
 11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of staples and an open leg length of each of the staples in each segment is the same.
 12. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cartridge includes staples each having an open leg length and the open leg length of one staple in one segment is different from the open leg length of one staple in the other segment.
 13. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of staple drivers each having a height and the height of at least two staple drivers are different in a direction from the first end to the second end of the cartridge.
 14. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes staples, each staple having an open leg length, the open leg length of at least one staple is different from the open leg length of another staple along a length of the cartridge from the first end to the second end.
 15. The end effector of claim 14, wherein the open leg lengths of the staples are randomly distributed.
 16. The end effector of claim 14, wherein a distribution of the open leg lengths of the staples is based on a probable tissue thickness along the anatomical structure from the first end to the second end.
 17. The end effector of claim 14, wherein the staples are divided into at least two zones of staples, the staples arranged in at least one row and at least one column in each zone, and the open leg length of one staple in one zone differs from the open leg length of another staple in the other zone.
 18. The end effector of claim 17, wherein the cartridge has a first edge and a second edge and one staple in the zone adjacent the first edge has a different open leg length than another staple in the zone adjacent the second edge.
 19. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of staples divided into at least two zones, and a crown length of one staple in one zone differs from a crown length of another staple in the other zone.
 20. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of staples divided into at least two zones of staples, and a gauge of one staple in one zone differs from a gauge of another staple in the other zone.
 21. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of magazines configured to be selectively inserted and removed from the cartridge, each magazine including a plurality of staples arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns.
 22. The end effector of claim 21, wherein a length of at least one magazine is from about 5 mm to about 250 mm.
 23. The end effector of claim 21, wherein at least one magazine includes a channel for a cutting blade with at least one column of staples on each side of the channel.
 24. The end effector of claim 21, wherein the magazines include an interlock feature.
 25. The end effector of claim 24, wherein the interlock feature includes a projection on one of the magazines and a recess on another of the magazines, the projection being configured to be received in the recess when the magazines are adjacent to each other in the cartridge.
 26. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of staples arranged in rows and columns, each staple having an open leg length, the staples in each column having about the same open leg length, and each of the anvil and the cartridge has a first edge and a second edge, the anvil being movable relative to the cartridge to define a first edge gap between the faces at the first edges that is less than a second edge gap between the faces at the second edges.
 27. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the end effector includes an alignment mechanism configured to facilitate alignment between the anvil and the cartridge as the anvil is moved toward the cartridge.
 28. The end effector of claim 27, wherein the alignment mechanism includes: a knife that is partially housed in the cartridge and that has a first flange, a second flange, and a web connecting the first and second flanges and including a cutting edge; a recess in the anvil face that is configured to receive the first flange; a first slot in the anvil that is open to the anvil face and to the recess and that is configured to slidably receive the web during cutting of the anatomical structure with the cutting edge; and a second slot in the cartridge that is open to the cartridge face and that is configured to slidably receive the web during cutting of the anatomical structure.
 29. The end effector of claim 28, wherein the anvil has a first guide channel open to the first slot, the cartridge has a guide channel open to the second slot, and the first and second guide channels are parallel.
 30. The end effector of claim 29, wherein the anvil face and the cartridge face are not parallel.
 31. The end effector of claim 29, wherein at least one of the anvil face and the cartridge face has a stepped configuration including at least two segments that are offset from one another, one segment defines the first gap and the other segment defines the second gap.
 32. The end effector of claim 28, wherein one of the first and second flanges has a V-shaped cross-section.
 33. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the staples have two legs and a crown having a midline and the staple pockets are configured to bend the two legs past the midline of the crown when the end effector is actuated.
 34. The end effector of claim 1, wherein each of the anvil and the cartridge has a first edge, the end effector further comprising: a spacer coupled to the first edge of at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and being configured to abut an anatomical feature to space the end effector apart from the anatomical feature by a known distance.
 35. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the end effector is insertable through a trocar.
 36. The end effector of claim 1, further comprising: a flexible member that movably couples the first end of the anvil to the first end of the cartridge.
 37. The end effector of claim 34, wherein at least one of the anvil and the cartridge slidably receives the flexible member when the end effector is clamped on to the anatomical structure.
 38. The end effector of claim 34, wherein the flexible member is anchored to the anvil.
 39. The end effector of claim 34, wherein the flexible member is anchored to the cartridge.
 40. The end effector of claim 34, further comprising: a tensioning device operable by the surgeon for selectively tensioning the flexible member to provide at least a portion of the clamping force on the anatomical structure.
 41. The end effector of claim 1, wherein each of the anvil and the cartridge is insertable through a trocar and the end effector is remotely operable from outside the patient to clamp the end effector to the anatomical structure according to the first gap and the second gap.
 42. A stapling device for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure, the anatomical structure having a first side and a second side, the stapling device comprising: the end effector of claim 1; a manipulator that is configured to be accessible to the surgeon outside of the patient and that includes a shaft coupled to the end effector and a clamping mechanism for selectively moving the anvil and the cartridge toward one another to clamp the anatomical structure; and a flexible member that extends through the shaft to the end effector and is operably coupled to at least one of the anvil and the cartridge and to the clamping mechanism such that operating the clamping mechanism withdraws the flexible member from the end effector and clamps the anatomical structure between the anvil and the cartridge.
 43. The device of claim 42, wherein the clamping mechanism is capable of selectively tensioning the flexible member to clamp the anvil and the cartridge to the anatomical structure with a first stage clamping force that permits the end effector to be repositioned relative to the anatomical structure.
 44. The device of claim 43, wherein the first stage clamping force is between about 0.1 g/mm² and about 4 g/mm².
 45. The device of claim 43, wherein the clamping mechanism is capable of selectively tensioning the flexible member to clamp the anvil and the cartridge to the anatomical structure with a second stage clamping force that substantially prevents the end effector from moving relative to the anatomical structure during the medical procedure.
 46. The device of claim 45, wherein the second stage clamping force is between about 4 g/mm² and about 70 g/mm².
 47. The device of claim 42, wherein the manipulator includes a handpiece that at least partially houses the clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism further includes a lever that is pivotable relative to the handpiece and is operable to activate the clamping mechanism.
 48. The device of claim 47, wherein the clamping mechanism includes: a first push bar that is pivotably coupled to the lever; a second push bar that is pivotably coupled to the first push bar; and a pin that is coupled to the second push bar, the flexible member extending around the pin, wherein rotation of the lever relative to the handpiece moves the pin and withdraws the flexible member from the end effector.
 49. The device of claim 42, wherein the manipulator includes a stapling mechanism that has an actuator coupled to an actuator plate that is slidable relative to the end effector and at least one wedge coupled to the actuator plate, wherein activating the actuator slides the actuator plate and the at least one wedge in the direction of the end effector to force the wedge into engagement with staples.
 50. The device of claim 49, wherein the actuator is a thumb plate.
 51. The device of claim 49, wherein the manipulator includes a cutting mechanism that is configured to cut the anatomical structure and is coupled to the actuator plate and, when the actuator is engaged, the stapling mechanism begins stapling the anatomical structure prior the cutting mechanism cutting the anatomical structure. 52-63. (canceled)
 64. A method of stapling an anatomical structure during a surgical medical procedure, the method comprising: inserting the end effector of claim 1 through a trocar into a patient adjacent the anatomical structure, the cartridge including a plurality of staples; positioning the anvil and the cartridge on opposing sides of the anatomical structure; clamping the end effector to the anatomical structure at the first ends of the anvil and the cartridge and the second ends of the anvil and the cartridge to secure the position of the end effector relative to the anatomical structure; and actuating the end effector to staple the anatomical structure.
 65. The method of claim 64, further comprising: positioning a clamp adjacent to the anatomical structure, and wherein positioning the anvil and the cartridge includes positioning at least one of the anvil and cartridge adjacent the clamp.
 66. The method of claim 64, wherein the staples having an open leg length are arranged in rows and columns and the open leg length of each of the staples is the same in each column, and wherein actuating the end effector includes forming a first row of staples and a second row of staples, the staples in the first row having a greater closed leg length than the staples in the second row.
 67. The method of claim 64, wherein each of the anvil and the cartridge have a first edge and a second edge and clamping the end effector to the anatomical structure includes compressing the anatomical structure more at the first edges than at the second edges. 